Stage 1
- I can assist in the launching of a small punt.
- I know about the buddy system.
- I know the importance of a Personal Flotation Device.
- I know the correct clothing to wear when going afloat.
- I can row a small punt.
- I can point out the bow, stern, transom, port and starboard of a boat.
- I know how to contact the emergency services.
- I know why it is important to stay with a capsized boat.
- I know why I should follow directions from my instructor.
- I know not go afloat if the wind is greater than Force 4.
- I can show the limits of where I may go each time I go afloat.
- I have taken part in two half-day exercises afloat consisting of at minimum of two hours afloat
Stage 2
- I can assist in the launch and recovery of a small punt.
- I can explain what impact I may have on local vegetation when launching and retrieving a punt.
- I have discussed “Weil’s disease” and the precautions necessary to take part in open water activities.
- I can put on my own Personal Floatation Device and adjust it properly.
- I know why I should wear suitable footwear.
- I can make a recognised distress signal.
- I know how to raise the alarm if I see somebody in difficulty on the water.
- I know what hypothermia is.
- I know that I should keep clear of channels and fairways.
- I can get a weather forecast.
- I can tie the following knots; round-turn-andtwo-half-hitches, figure of eight, bowline.
- I have taken part in four half-day exercises afloat consisting of a minimum of two hours afloat.
Stage 3
- I can take a leading part in the launch and recovery of a small rowing punt.
- I know why wearing layers of clothing is a good idea.
- I can embark, manoeuvre and disembark from a rowing punt safely.
- I can point out the main parts of a boat.
- I can use a small anchor from a punt.
- I can get into the water from a punt in a safe way.
- I can help to right a capsized rowing punt.
- I know how to do CPR and place the casualty in the recovery position.
- I know that I should follow the instructions of the person in charge of the boat.
- I understand the terms used in a maritime weather forecast.
- I have taken part in three full day exercises afloat consisting of a minimum of 4 hours afloat
Stage 4
- I can assist in the launch and recovery of a rowing boat.
- I know the main principles of “Leave No Trace”.
- I know that there are different types of Personal Flotation Device and know when and where each should be used.
- I can explain why wearing the correct outerwear is important.
- I can demonstrate how to manoeuvres a boat as a member of the crew in a rowing boat.
- I can pick up a mooring from a punt.
- I can help another person safely into a punt from the water.
- I can coil a line and heave it to a casualty to affect a simulated rescue.
- I know the safety precautions required for water based activities.
- I know the Beaufort wind scale up to Force 6.
- I can describe how often high and low tides take place, and the implications these might have when going afloat.
- I know that where I may go boating may change in different conditions.
- I have taken part in six full-day exercises afloat consisting of a minimum of 4 hours afloat.
Stage 5
- I know the standard rowing commands used in my group and can use them to helm a rowing boat on a straight course.
- I can take a leading role in mooring and unmooring a rowing boat.
- I can assist in the anchoring of a rowing boat.
- I can identify and name the main parts of common anchor types.
- I know why it is important to have some training in first aid and can show how to care for someone who is very cold.
- I know the parts of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea which apply to my boat and local boating waters.
- I can obtain a weather forecast and know how the information might affect planned activities afloat.
- I know how currents and the ebb and flow of the tide affect my local boating waters.
- I know how to use Channel 16 on marine VHF and have an understanding of the use of distress flares.
- I have taken part in six full-day exercises afloat.
- I have taken part in one expedition afloat.
Stage 6
- I can take a leading part in the launch and recovery of a rowing boat.
- I can carry out the routine inspection of a Personal Flotation Device.
- I can take the helm of a rowing boat and carry out the required manoeuvres including steering with a compass.
- I can take a leading part in anchoring a rowing boat including knowing how and when to use a tripping line.
- I have taken part in Man-Over-Board exercises.
- I know what causes tides and how spring and neap tides might affect sailors.
- I can recognise the main weather patterns illustrated by a synoptic chart and can interpret the forecast.
- I can identify common weather conditions and describe how they may affect boating activities.
- I am familiar with the main features of restricted waters as defined for my group.
- I know how and when to make distress and urgency calls and ‘Safety Announcements’ on Marine VHF.
- I have taken part in eight full-day exercises afloat.
- I have taken part in one expedition afloat
- I have instructed at least four people in four of the areas up to Stage 3.
Stage 7
- I can take a leading part in the manual handling of a rowing boat ashore ensuring safe handling procedures.
- I can take a leading part in preparing a rowing boat for safe transportation by road including identifying a suitable trailer/vehicle and secure the boat safely.
- I know under which circumstances different Personal Flotation Devices are appropriate.
- I can take charge of a rowing boat and carry out the required manoeuvres, including towing, to a high standard.
- I can take a leading part in selecting a good anchorage.
- I can take charge of a boat and respond efficiently to a (simulated) emergency.
- I know what lights should be shown by the most common vessels in my area and know what lights should be shown by a rowing boat.
- I know the International regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.
- I can interpret the current forecast and make sound decisions on planned activities in view of expected weather and sea conditions and tidal effects.
- I know the hazards and how the weather may affect “Restricted Waters” for my group.
- I know how to get suitable information for “Safe Enclosed” boating waters that are not my groups local waters (e.g. For camp).
- I can assist in developing a passage plan for a day trip.
- I know how to read and set a chart, plot and estimate positions.
- I have a working knowledge of GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems) as it applies to EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons ) and DSC (Digital Selective Calling).
- I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat.
- I have taken part in one overnight expedition afloat outside my normal boating waters.
- I have instructed at least four people in at least six of the areas up to Stage 5.
Stage 8
- I can take a leading part in organising the off-season storage of rowing boats.
- I understand the different safety precautions that must be taken when a group of boats is operating together.
- I have a good understanding of the merits of different anchor types for different locations and conditions .
- I know what sound signals the most common types of vessel in my area should make.
- I have researched at least five pieces of weather lore.
- I am familiar with ‘Day Cruising Waters’ for my group
- I can use the information from a charts etc., to plan an expedition in restricted waters.
- I have an understanding of the ‘capture effect’ as it applies to marine VHF.
- I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat.
- I have taken part in one overnight expedition involving more than one boat.
- I have instructed at least four people in at least seven of the areas up to Stage 7.
Stage 9
- I can anchor a boat efficiently to two anchors.
- I can improvise and deploy a sea-anchor and know what spares and tools should be carried aboard.
- I have completed the requirement for the Emergencies Skills Stage 7
- I know how to interact with the emergency services.
- I can identify the type aspect and behaviour of vessels by day or night from lights, shapes and sounds.
- I know the procedure for entry to and departure from a harbour and understand the requirement to file a passage plan under SOLAS regulations.
- I can complete a rough synoptic chart from a maritime weather forecast or similar data and use this information to make sound decisions on planned activities in view of expected weather and sea conditions.
- I am familiar with any local rules and bylaws that apply to Day Cruising Waters for my group.
- I can devise a pilot/passage plan and programme that plan into a GPS .
- I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat.
- I have taken part in an overnight expedition in coastal waters.
- I have instructed at least four people in at least five of the areas up to Stage 8.
